Saxony (1440-64) groschen

Sincona sale 89, lot 592

Saxony in 1485, showing the initial division between the Ernestine and Albertine lines. Freiberg is between Chemnitz and Dresden

This specimen was lot 592 in Sincona sale 89 (Zürich, May 2024), where it sold for 140 CHF (about US$185 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"DEUTSCHLAND Sachsen, Meissen, Markgrafschaft, Friedrich II. und Wilhelm III. 1440-1464. Schildgroschen o. J., Freiberg. Münzzeichen Mohnkopf und Stachelrose. Vorzüglich. Exemplar der Auktion Bankhaus Aufhäuser 9, München, Oktober 1992, Los 3250. (Germany, Saxony, margraviate of Meissen, Frederick II and William III, 1440-64, undated shield groat, Freiberg mint, mintmark poppy head and thorny rose. Extremely fine.)"

The march of Meissen was erected in 965 during the German drive east against the Slavs. By the fifteenth century, it had been merged into the Wettin electorate of Saxony and had no independent existence. Frederick II was elector 1428-64; his younger brother William III was landgrave of Thuringia 1445-82 and margrave of Meissen 1445-64.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: silver, this specimen 2.59 g.

Catalog reference: Krug 1034/1.

Source:

• Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
• Nicol, N. Douglas, Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
• ^[1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 89, The Garrulus Collection of Numismatic Rarities and Masterpieces, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.

Link to:

• (14)75 halbe schwertgroschen, Leipzig mint
• (14)82 halbe schwertgroschen, Ernst and Albrecht, Zwickau or Schneeberg mint
• Coins and currency dated 1440